Category Archive : Real Estate

LAS VEGAS, NV – With the disturbance that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is causing in the real estate industry word-wide, house-flippers in Las Vegas – as well as across the nation – have taken a temporary pause while riding out the effects of the devastating outbreak upon the economy, according to recent reports.

Among the organizations putting the brakes on buying homes to quickly renovate and put back on the market to make a profit is the Zillow Group, which is ceasing such activities in Vegas as well as 23 other markets where it engages in flipping, through its “Zillow Offers program.”

The main driving factor behind Zillow’s decision, reports say, is compliance with ordinances passed by many local municipalities dictating that businesses deemed as “nonessential” temporarily close to reduce the spread of coronavirus. But while refraining from acquiring new properties, Zillow will still be selling homes already in their inventory.

In addition, numerous other flippers, both present in Vegas or with a web presence – including Opendoor of San Francisco – is reporting a pause from buying homes in the Southern Nevada region as well while quarantine measures are in effect.

According to experts, the Las Vegas real estate scene stands to be hurt more than average due to the effects of the pandemic for a number of reasons, not the least of which being its massive tourism industry; due to travel restriction measures and temporary business and retail closures – and no certain timetable yet for their re-opening – tourism in Vegas is completely off the table for the time being. This, unfortunately, is causing economic havoc in a city that was previously skyrocketing back to the top after recovering from the mid-2000s recession.

Real estate sales are expected to take a large dip while the coronavirus scare persists, but experts are also predicting a fast turnaround of Las Vegas’ fortunes once again when the pandemic eventually levels off. It’s simply a matter of riding out the storm until it subsides.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Owing to the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic across the United States – and globally – the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) announced last week that they would be suspending the annual REcon convention – the largest Real Estate-based event in the nation – that was due to be held in Las Vegas in late May.In addition, ICSC announced that they would be suspending all other organization events planned through June 30.

Recon normally attracts tens of thousands of attendees to Las Vegas ever year; the 2019 event boasted over 36,000 attendees, according to ICSC. However, ICSC representatives were quick to point out that this was a “postponement” and not an outright cancellation of the event; a memo issued by ICSC noted that they are already in the process of evaluating alternate venues and dates for the 2020 Recon, giving hope to the fact that it will still take place later in the year.

Recon, the largest real estate show in the country, offers a variety of programming and events for attendees, ranging from retail deal making, networking, information, seminars, and more. In addition, guests will often partake in extracurricular events as well as the night life that Vegas offers during the off-hours, feeding into and benefiting the local economy.

A number of conferences and industry events have been postponed or outright cancelled, both in Las Vegas and across the country, as measures have been taken to slow and contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, while such measures will likely contain the outbreak and prevent long-term economic damage, the fact is that there will absolutely be – at the very least – very real and significant effects in the here and now to the industries – such as hotels, caterers, entertainment, and more – that depend on these events for their very livelihoods.

Currently, the number of events in Las Vegas that have been cancelled due to coronavirus are approximately 30.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, the skyrocketing economy that Las Vegas has been enjoying since miraculously recovering from the mid-2000’s recession has hit a bit of a stumbling block in the form of the infamous coronavirus outbreak. Tourism had increased, multi-million dollar construction projects and development deals were constantly springing up, unemployment was dropping, and the real estate industry was enjoying a huge surge not seen since before the burst of the housing bubble. But in the wake of the coronavirus, business are shutting their doors – both in Vegas and nationwide – and the economy of Southern Nevada is starting to feel the pinch.

Casions and resorts are starting to see decreased demand as tourism drops amid airline flight restrictions and overall travel fears, and employment cuts are expected to take place in a variety of industries. This holds especially true in the hospitality industry, the very lifeblood of Las Vegas. MGM Resorts International is expected to begin layoffs starting next week, and according to reports it could amount to as many as 150 employees. MGM is one of the largest employers in Nevada.

In a city where tourism is king and people come in droves to be entertained in crowded casinos and event venues, the coronavirus is not an ideal situation, although it will take some time to ascertain the full extent of its impact on the local economy. It’s possible that the measures being taken now to limit exposure via social activity will prevent long-term economic damage and minimize the job, revenue and development project losses.

The degree to which tourism is important to the economic well-being of Las Vegas cannot be overstated, and the coronavirus is sure to have a trickle-down effect to almost every industry in the city. According to reports, tourists poured $35 billion in Southern Nevada in 2017, through which over 234,000 tourism jobs were supported. Currently, construction jobs are not being majorly affected, although some contractors have reported delayed shipment of materials needed for their projects when coming from China and Italy, areas of the globe where the coronavirus has hit the hardest.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, home prices in Las Vegas, already in a constant state of increase, have finally managed to surpass pre-recession housing bubble-era prices after over 13 years of recovery, when not adjusted for inflation.

The median sales price of a single-family home set a record last month when it hit an all-time peak of $316,000, $1,000 more than the previous all-time record established in 2006, before the burst of the housing bubble lead to a deep recession that almost decimated the housing market in Southern Nevada for over a decade.

That amount, however, still manages to lag behind pre-recession peak prices when inflation is taken into account, reports say, which shows how pricey property had gotten in the region before the economy went south. When adjusted for inflation in 2020 dollars, the 2006 peak price would translate to approximately $400,500, which represents an additional $84,500 above today’s market.

Median home prices in Las Vegas have increased 6.7 percent from the same period one year earlier. In addition, February 2020 was an especially busy month for sales, with 2,471 houses sold, with represents an increase of 25.7 percent from February 2019. This represents good news for the market, as sales had previously leveled off in the region due to concerns regarding affordability began affecting the market overall.

Despite the fact that home prices still lag behind their pre-recession peak when inflation is taken into account, this new financial milestone is important given the fact that the recovery of the Las Vegas real estate market in particular lagged behind much of the rest of the United States after it began to recover from the recession.

Essentially, the real estate market in Las Vegas has finally come “full circle” and, given its continued positive momentum, it may only be a matter of time before more records are set.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to the experts, if you’re in a rush to sell your home for top-dollar, there are a number of tried-and-true methods to approaching that transaction in order to ensure you get the most for your investment in the least amount of time. After all, the longer that a home is one the market, the lower its asking price tends to dip, so expediency is key, and this is how it’s done.

Asking Price

First of all, you want to make sure that your asking price right off the bat is the right one; if that’s the case, you will often find yourself with several offers within the first few days the house is on the market, as real estate agents often check each and every day and quickly go for the good deals. Knowing what does and doesn’t sell in your neighborhood is important to achieve this.

Home Inspection

Getting a home inspection before putting the property on the market is a good idea as well, just to avoid running into a situation where issues are discovered while showing the home, which can delay your sale or lower your price.

Prime Times

Also, waiting until a time of year where the overall inventory of available homes on the market is lower than normal is a good idea, if you can spare the time; late summer and late fall are usually the best times to list in this regard, as new listings tend to stand out at those times of years, despite not being known as “prime” listing times.

Curb Appeal

Establishing good “curb appeal” is a nice idea as well, as first impressions are important. Make sure your landscaping is up-to-date, that your property is clean and uncluttered, and that your home needs no major aesthetic repairs. Also, a fresh coat of paint and perhaps even a new front door – if it’s needed – never hurts when it comes to wowing a potential buyer.

Buyer Perception

As for the interior, a simple paint-job works best, with white being a great choice due to the fact that it will make your home appear clean, bright, and will give off the illusion of it being larger. To that end, also make sure that your rooms are not cluttered with unneeded items; this especially holds true to personal items such as family photographs, which will not only make the rooms look smaller but will also make it harder for a buyer to envision the home as “theirs.”

Advertising Methods

And as for advertising, traditional methods are still very effective and reliable, but don’t forget about the power of social media – particularly Facebook ads – as well. Also, set up regular open houses, and make sure your home is clean and well-lit when you’re showing it.

These are just a few tips to help sell your home quickly and for the maximum price. Feel free to speak with one of our agents if you are considering selling and ask for a free market analysis.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice facility – which is still currently under construction – was sold by team officials last week for the hefty sum of $191 million. But where will the Raiders practice then, you might ask? Why at that very same facility, since right after the sale Raiders officials leased the facility right back, a growing and popular trend in Las Vegas real estate known as a “leaseback.”

A form of flipping – buying a property, building upon it or renovating existing structures, and then selling it for a profit – the leaseback takes the concept to the next level by having property owners sell a building, only to rent it right back for whatever use they may need it for. The practice has generated billions of dollars in revenue in Vegas in recent months, and apparently the Raiders are the latest entity to get in on the action… and they’re not even officially residents of the city yet.

The Raiders sold their Henderson-based headquarters and practice center – which is still being built – to Mesirow Financial of Chicago in February 21, and then immediately entered into a lease agreement with Mesirow for 29 years, with the option of extending that lease for a total of 70 years, divided up into seven separate ten-year options, according to Clark County records.

The rent the Raiders will be paying to Mesirow is not currently known.

Leasebacks are common occurrences in many industries in Las Vegas, including fitness centers, fast-foot restaurants, and casino hotels; the advantages are many, including a large influx of cash up-front to the seller and the opportunity to establish a lock in long-term lease. For the buyer, the advantage is that they have an instant renter for their property, as opposed to acquiring it and then having it sit vacant – and not generating a dime in revenue – while they search for a tenant. However, leasebacks have their potential pitfalls as well, especially if the seller has financial issues or closes their doors for business; but regardless, leasebacks are growing in popularity in Vegas, as the benefits often far outweigh any potential issues that might come down the line.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to reports, the former Lucky Dragon has been given a new lease on life, as new ownership has re-branded and re-opened the facility with plans to give the hotel and casino a huge make-over.

The newly christened Ahern Hotel – named after owner and developer Don Ahern – will eschew the Lucky Dragon’s previous Chinese-themed design aesthetic – most of the decorations, including statues and a dragon chandelier, have been removed from the premises and are currently in storage awaiting sale – in favor of a more conventional look and feel, although the building still features its previous red exterior, but with all-new signs reflecting the name change.

Originally opening in 2008 with 203 rooms and a 27,500 square-foot casino – considered small compared to their local competitors – the former Lucky Dragon was inspired by Asian concepts in an effort to appeal to Asian customers, who were expected to be the resort’s primary customer base.

However, the establishment experienced low customer turnout over the years that it was open and as a result, the Lucky Dragon permanently closed for business on October 2, 2018. It was eventually sold for $36 million in April 2019 to Don Ahern, and reopened as the Ahern Hotel and Convention Center in late 2019.

Currently, the casino is not being re-opened; instead, Ahern noted that he intends to transform the casino into conference and convention space, with work expected to begin in March 2020; currently, the new facility is slated to have a separate name, although that moniker has not yet been publicly revealed.

Ahern estimated that he will be spending less than $10 million on the changes to the former casino space – including new eateries such as an Italian and a sushi restaurant – and hopes the entire resort would be ready in time for a grand opening on July 4, 2020.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Airbnb, Inc., an online marketplace for arranging or offering lodging, was recently approved for operation in Henderson, Nevada, with the Community Development manager laying out a series of rules and legal guidelines that participating residences must abide by in order to operate in the service.

San Francisco-based Airbnb has been steadily gaining in popularity over the years as a cheap and convenient platform for hosts to accommodate guests with short-term lodging and tourism-related activities by essentially renting out their couch or home to relative strangers. Much like ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft and the drivers they employ, Airbnb does not own any real estate listings, nor does it host events; instead, the service acts as a broker, receiving commissions from each booking.

Initially approved by the City of Henderson in mid-July of 2019; previously, short-term rentals where only allowed in commercial-tourist zoning areas, such as Lake Las Vegas. However, Henderson officials changed their stance on the issue after the City of Las Vegas made regulations governing short-term rentals far stricter. Seeing a potential money-making opportunity for Henderson – it’s estimated that the city could make as much as $370,000 annually with the introduction of Airbnb into the community – officials approved the move, albeit with a series of regulations of their own attached.

According to the City of Henderson, Airbnb’s are allowed to operate in residential areas within the limits of Henderson as long as they adhere to the following set of rules:

The local Homeowners Association (HOA) approves, and the homeowner proves compliance with HOA rules.

The owner of the property must take a class at the College of Southern Nevada (Cost: $250. Duration: 2 days in-class or 2 weeks online).

Pay the City of Henderson an annual fee of $820.

Pay a 13 percent monthly lodging tax.

Install noise monitoring systems both inside and outside the home (via a company like Noise Aware).

Notify all neighbors within 200 feet of the property (via certified mail) that the home is going to be an Airbnb.

Rentals can range from a complete home, a single bedroom, or even just crashing on someone’s house in a pull-out sofa bed.

The allure of allowing Airbnb to operate within Henderson is obvious when it comes to a cash-flow standpoint; the service has been generating significant revenue in other regions of Nevada for some time now. For example, in 2019 Nevada Airbnb hosts ‘as a whole’ earned $53.5 million from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, according to figures released by the company. In addition, Clark County Airbnb guest usage generated $36 million in a period spanning from May 25 to Sept. 2 that same year.

Another reason for Henderson’s approval of Airbnb is a potential remedy for the ongoing issue of the unauthorized renting of homes in the area; in addition, officials have announced that they will be working with an outside company that will monitor rental websites – utilizing advanced compliance software – for local homeowners who are violating rental ordnances; those who do may face fines of $500 a day that the property is rented. Instances of holding a party or wedding, or operating with a suspended license, will also incur a $500 a day fine.

Clearly, Airbnb is a very popular service, and the government officials of Henderson – faced with the dollar amounts other areas of Nevada have seen an influx of recently in conjunction with the short-term lodging service – found it was in the city’s best interests to get in on the action themselves.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, 2020 in Las Vegas is expected to be the year of the condominium, as the affordable housing alternative – often replete with numerous amenities that stand-alone house owners aren’t privy to – are showing a distinct increase in popularity.

The reasons condos are attracting so much attention from buyers recently are numerous; many people prefer the security that living in such a community often affords its residents, whereas others also enjoy the different amenities – such as fitness facilities, gaming clubhouses, and swimming pools – that are typically available to residents.

And the fact that condos are, on average, cheaper than full-on home ownership in a real estate marketplace with steadily climbing prices is an attractive feature as well, allowing owners to be able to swing the cost of living in an affluent community that they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Some condos run from the $200,000s to $300,000 range for one- and two-bedroom condominium flats and three-bedroom loft-style town homes, ranging from 1,058 square feet to 2,500 square feet. In contrast, the median price in Las Vegas for a single-family home in December 2019 was just under $313,000, and those homes do not come with the additional benefits provided by living in a condo community, including the aforementioned security, amenities, and other extras, such as landscaping, underground parking, and more. Many condo communities are also situated near major shopping and entertainment complexes, or sometimes even feature their own exclusive shopping facilities for residents to use.

With the prices of the Las Vegas housing market still climbing since the end of the recession (although prices are starting to slow and stabilize as available inventory increases), more and more people it seems are turning to condominiums for their housing needs, and as a result more developers are constructing additional condo units in order to satisfy that need.

Indeed, while the Las Vegas housing market as a whole remains one of the most prosperous in the nation, 2002 is expected to see condos come to greater prominence than they have in many years.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, the close of 2019 saw the housing market in Las Vegas mirror the opening in very much the same way – with a slew of home sales at levels approaching pre-recession era peak levels, giving the market some serious momentum leading into the new decade after a year where sales had slowed slightly after continuous years of growth.

2,609 single-family homes with a median price of $312,990 were sold in December, representing a price increase of two percent over the month before and six percent from the same period one year prior, according to reports; in addition, the number of homes sold were up over November by 8.4 percent and up over December 2018 by 21.8 percent.

The increase in the number of homes sold in December resulted in a decrease in the overall housing inventory for the Las Vegas region; at the close of 2019, 5,538 single-family homes were on the market without offers, a drop of over 15 percent from the previous month and a drop of over 16 percent from the same period in 2018.

Overall, Las Vegas closed out 2019 with a burst of sales after experiencing a slight slow-down throughout much of the year, fueled in-part over growing home prices and a lack of inventory, especially in affordable price ranges. However, after a strong finish for the year – and indeed, the decade – experts are predicting that 2020 will see this growth continue to increase, especially considering the fact that overall prices are still below the national average, coupled with a lower cost of living as well.

As a whole, 41,269 sold in Las Vegas during 2019, which was a four percent decrease from 2018. However, the sudden spike in purchases in December – typically one of the industry’s slowest months – is a good indicator for what’s to come in 2020, experts say.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to a recent interview with a noted real estate professional, the Las Vegas housing market – booming in recent years after laying in dormancy for over a decade – will continue to be fueled going into 2020 and beyond by a number of factors, not the least of which is how the region’s low home inventory will only help to increase overall demand.

The population of Las Vegas is increasing by as much as 50,000-60,000 people annually; that factor, combined with new home construction not keeping pace with demand, has resulted in shortages, especially in price ranges considered affordable to the average working Joe. In contrast, unlike the housing market, rental construction has been keeping pace with demand, resulting in more stabilized pricing.

Homes in Las Vegas at the $350,000 price range are attracting buyers in particular, given the fact that – due to steadily rising prices overall – homes at this price are becoming more and more rare. In recent years, skyrocketing prices of homes in Vegas have begun to raise affordability concerns, as previously Southern Nevada had been lauded for its low cost of living.

While still far more affordable when compared to the national average and especially neighboring states such as California, the cost of a median single-family home in Vegas has been getting to the point where it could potentially become an issue if prices maintain on this path. The $350,000 price range has become the magic bullet, so to speak, offering a balance between profit for sellers and affordability for buyers, especially for new transplants to the regions who have been lured there by job prospects born out of the newly-blossoming economy. In addition, loans for buyers – complete with low interest rates – are widely obtainable in Vegas, although the qualification process is said to be stringent due to the high rate of applicants. Thus, ultimately, getting a house at an affordable price in Las Vegas is a combination of patience and vigilance, in addition to being ready.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – According to recent reports, a Japanese developer showed off some cutting-edge “green” technology in the form of a pricey prefabricated home in Summerlin constructed from a substance called “Shawood,” which is a sustainable form of lumber that is earthquake resistant.

Japan-based Sekisui House, along with its building company Woodside Homes, is the developer and creator of Shawood, were scheduled to be featured at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held from January 7 to 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Shawood is noted as being a healthy construction substance that is resilient and sustainable, and represents a different approach to traditional home design methods.

Shawood is incorporated into a post-and-beam construction system that are designed and fabricated by way of computer engineering and automation in Japan – and then shipped worldwide for assembly – to ensure a precise fit and sturdy construction, reports say. Sekisui House, the largest developer of pre-fab housing in the world, has only recently entered the American market after previously erecting homes in Japan and Australia for a number of years.

The recent Shawood-based Summerlin home – a multi-million-dollar pre-fab unit that reflects Japanese engineering but traditional Western-style design – is being used as a showcase for Japanese building innovation, and was featured during the Las Vegas CES. The house, building in collaboration with Builder magazine, looks to break the status quo and advance home and building construction into the future. The framing of the house – which comes in at an overall square footage of 5,400 feet – was constructed entirely out of Shawood; the roofing, tile, and windows, contrast, were purchased from U.S.-based sources. Other advantages of Shawood are lower cost and higher efficiency, in addition to faster construction with less workers and experience required (the parts come with easy-to-follow blueprints), and builders that have seen the home thus far have all been impressed by the precision and the quality of the materials and construction. Could Shawood – along with Japanese design aesthetics – be the next big thing when it comes to Las Vegas home construction?

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

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